There are certain requirements needed when it comes to adding compost to potting soil. The right amount of it can be beneficial, however, the wrong amount might be adverse. Therefore, in this article, you’ll learn how much compost is needed to add to potting soil.
Compost is very useful to soil and potting soil as well. While making potting soil for container plants, the first time you can use compost is when you’re making it. You might have mixed perlite, vermiculite, and peat moss together to make your potting soil. You might have bought the potting soil at a store as well.
However, gardeners may extend costly potting soil by mixing compost with it, and their plants will be healthier as a result. Compost not only adds nutrients to bedding plants and seedlings but also helps commercial compost drain better, making it possible for your plants to get the moisture they need to thrive.
Allow no more than one-third of your potting soil to be composted. This amount of compost, according to the University of Minnesota Cooperative Extension, lessens possible aeration issues and prevents your plant soil from becoming water-logged.
Materials Needed
The following are materials needed for adding compost to a potting soil;
- Compost soil
- Measuring cup
- Black plastic garden pot
- Twist-tie
- Commercial potting soil
- Two 5-gallon buckets
- Trowel
Read also: Step By Step Guide To Vermicompost
How Much Compost To Add To Potting Soil
The following are the processes that determine how much compost to add to potting soil.
Determine out the quantity of compost soil you require; for example, if you require 12 cups of potting soil, only 4 cups of compost soil should be used. The compost should have the regularity of a wrung-out sponge.
Fill a 1/2-gallon or 1-gallon black plastic garden pot halfway with wet compost and cover with a clear plastic bag. With a twist-tie, secure the plastic bag.
As suggested by Judy Pray, author of “Garden Wisdom and Know-How,” put the sealed plastic bag of compost in direct sunlight to sterilize it using the sun’s radiation.
Let the compost sit for at least two weeks to enable the sun’s heat to kill any weed seeds that might be competing for nutrients with your seedlings.
Read also: Can You Compost Onions?
In the bottom of a 5-gallon bucket, pour two cups of commercial potting soil. 1 cup sterilized compost soil, measured out and added to the 5-gallon bucket With a trowel, combine the two components and stir them together in circular movements until they’re fully combined.
Fill the second 5-gallon bucket halfway with the combined potting soil and compost soil. Repeat the blending process with more potting soil and compost soil until you have enough enriched potting soil for your planting requirements.
Read also: Can You Compost Pineapple?
Note: You can use the enriched potting soil immediately away, or store it in sealed plastic bags for up to four weeks if you don’t use it. To improve drainage and soil aeration, include a handful of sand, perlite, or vermiculite with three cups of compost-enriched potting soil.
